Brighten the Day 9
Have you just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here. Wait for the explosions and the band to start headbanging, then bob up and down like a Muppet walking, or Walk Like an Egyptian ⇒, and sneak right past the guards.
And, a few flowers to calm us down.
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In 2017 there is Hope and there is the True Nature of Humanity
“2016 was rough but we still have every reason to hope” says Avaaz ⇒. Avaaz has 42 million members and raise petitions that work on the local, national and international level. More ↓, a slideshow and a video.
Below is the extraordinary story of the boatmen who came forward and helped people caught in the 9/11 disaster. They did not know what had happened and did not know if they would be safe. Nearly five hundred thousand people were rescued in less than nine hours. It is a compelling video. Cindy Knoke (of CindyKnoke.com) renamed it “The True Nature of Humanity”. If the sound is interrupted, pause the above slideshow.
Vincent Ardolino, Captain of the Amberjack V, said at the end: “I never want to say the words ‘I should have’. If I do it and I fail, I tried. If I do it and succeed, better for me. And, I tell my children, never go through life saying you should have. If you wanna do something, you do it”.
The idea that we can’t make a difference is a deceit perpetrated by those who profit from the inhibiting effect.
The goodwill, that wishes a better world for others, is unstoppable because it keeps on being born. No matter how slow progress has been, it has gradually prevailed over centuries. No matter how great the struggle, it has shown itself to be indomitable and so will eventually defeat all. It is the true nature of humanity and it is a privilege to be part of it.
Just one thing, just do one thing and smile that you made a difference and that you are part of human evolution.
WordPress Changes – Losing the Old Admin and Editor
The False Appearance of Success
Matt Mullenweg seems to be under the impression that the new User Interface and Editor have been a success. From his recent “State of the Word Address” ⇒.
“Matt gave some updates on Calypso’s adoption since it was released last year. He says that 68% of posts on WordPress.com are now written in Calypso. 17% of posts are written via a mobile device, and only 15% of users are using the WordPress admin. For reference, Calypso is the default method of publishing on WordPress.com now, so that includes the desktop website, desktop app, and mobile app”.
We need to tell him that it is a false impression based upon being herded into the new system by the removal of virtually all links to the old one. A move which seems to have precipitated an increasing number of abandoned and infrequently used blogs.
We also need to list all the new UI’s and Editors shortcomings. Including the low-speed for those who aren’t fortunate enough to have super-fast broadband and super-fast computers.
It seems, for business reasons which include the use of Rest-API ⇐, WordPress are determined to set aside what remains of the old system. They had better be persuaded to perfect the new one first. That will take many voices, so please add your comment to the forum and pass the news to others and, for the present, How to Access the Old System ⇐
The places to comment.
Where you can place a comment and, should you so wish, address a comment to Matt Mullenweg as @Matt:-
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/stats-feedback?replies=52
Comments about the WP Reader:-
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/reader-update/page/2?replies=15
This is my message to Matt Mullenweg on the “stats” thread of the forum:-
Message for @Matt via @supernovia
It is noticeable that there are an increasing number of blogs that are infrequently used and an increasing number being abandoned. Pushing Reader “Recommendations” at us, without an opt-out will only annoy customers more.
The idea that the new UI is successful (according your State of the Word address) is false one, brought about by the destruction of links and making all but one point away from the old UI. Many bloggers do not even know that it still exists. You have been fooling yourselves.
As an aside: You would make the UI/Editor/Reader less cramped if you employed slide-away or drop-down menus.
The new UI/Editor remains deficient of original function. There is lot of work to do before it will reach the original functional standard. You shouldn’t need us to tell you what’s missing. That is a ludicrous failure of perception and a disrespectful misuse of our time.
Unless one has super-fast broadband and a super-fast computer, which most people do not, especially in the farther regions of the world, then the new UI/Editor/Reader is horribly slow. Using more code to achieve less is a failure and no amount of contrived hyperbole or herding of customers can alter the reality. And, why on Earth is the “Reader” loading Olark.
If you are using OAuth 2.0, as it seems you are, you should bear in mind what the lead project author entirely disavowed that version.
I suggest that you give the project at least a semblance of genuine improvement, then beta test it and only then launch it. Do not destroy what works in favour of what does not. We are paying customers (and paying for No-Ads does count). We are not here for you to experiment on.
Here ⇒ are just some of the comments that you don’t see.
Further: There has been exclusion of adverse customer comment on the WP Blog and the Forum’s “Reader” thread. That is against WP’s apparent stance on censorship, a contravention of First Amendment Rights and fuels the argument for making WP a Regulated Public Utility under Congressional control. Perhaps it would be a good idea to see that it doesn’t happen again.
Have a nice day. 🙂
The Queen’s House Interior at Greenwich
The Great Hall Floor
14 pictures. The house has been refurbished and is free to visit. It can be found adjacent to the National Maritime Museum⇐ in Wonderful Greenwich ⇐. Check the Queen’s House opening times ⇒. Non-commercial photography is allowed now (since early 2016). .
The house, formerly known as Queen Anne’s house, was built between 1616 and 1635 for Queen Anne (of Denmark) wife of James I of England. Unfortunately Queen Anne died in 1619 and the house lay abandoned until work restarted in 1629 for Charles I’s consort, Henrietta Maria.
The Queens House is now full of artwork including works by William Hodges, George Stubbs, Hans Holbein, William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough, the Tulip Staircase by Inigo Jones and one of the famous Elizabeth I Armada portraits.
The architect was Inigo Jones and the style is said to have influenced the architecture of the USA White House.
The Architecture
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The Great Hall Ceiling
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The Tulip Spiral Staircase by Inigo Jones at the Queen’s House in Greenwich
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The Artwork
This is just a small sample.
One of the three famous Elizabeth I Armada portraits that still exist. This one cost £1.5 million. There is another at Woburn Abbey and another at the National Portrait Gallery ⇐ (although I did not include the Armada Portrait) .
The Armada Portraits depict the destruction of the Spanish Armada whilst attempting to invade England. The armada was destroyed mostly by the British weather. Like many portraits of Elizabeth there are several symbols included. For instance the pearls indicate purity, the bow indicates virginity and her right hand over the America’s indicate her advancing dominion and colonisation.
Other portraits of Elizabeth I can be found at Hatfield House ⇐ and show an even more advanced use of symbolism.
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The Thames and Greenwich Hospital by Moonlight by Henry Pether
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Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Walt founded the state of Virginia in the Americas (after Elizabeth I the virgin Queen) and brought potatoes and tobacco to Europe.
This is why the Beatles sang in “I’m so Tired”, in reference to tobacco, ” And curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git”.
He secretly married a Gentlewoman of the Queen’s Privy Chamber (Elizabeth “Bess” Throckmorton) which resulted in he and his wife being imprisoned for several months. Years later, he was executed for refusing to accept James I as Queen Elizabeth’s successor.
A Ships Figurehead
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The Young Queen Victoria
Thanks for your visit and I hope that you found that interesting.
As an added note, the house does have a reputation for being haunted ⇐. To confess, it was probably me having a sick day. To be more serious, I found it a very calm place and caused no concern at all. Even the people, who took the photograph that started the rumour, refused to believe it was ghostly.
WordPress Changes – The User Interface and Old Stats Page – 2016 and 2017
Periodically updated list of news/articles/contacts about the WP User Interface Changes
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↓ Accessing the old system.
Many bloggers do not like the loss of the old Stats Page and the loss of Links to the older User Interface with its links to the older Editor, Post Lists etc.
Any logged in blogger can comment on the forum and it is well worth doing. Imagine how bad it would get if we just gave in.
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/stats-feedback/page/3?replies=52
Articles
Accessing the Old System ⇐ All the links to the Dashboard, an old Stats Page, Classic Editor, Page and Post Lists etc
WordPress Reader Changes⇐ including an alternative design and forum link and more.
WordPress Changes – Losing the Old Admin and Editor ⇐ Looking to the future and amending it.
Behind the Scenes ⇐ The new User Interface relies upon Rest-API (Application Programming Interface) and cannot work without it. The reason for API and the implications are found in “Behind the Scenes”.
Preventing WordPress Recommendations being sent by Email
WordPress intend to send their reading recommendations to WP bloggers by email (as well as putting them in our WP Readers).
You can stop the emails by:-
- Click on your Gravatar (personal image) at the top right.
- From the drop-down menu select Notifications.
- From the next page, at the top, select Updates.
- From next page uncheck Digests (Reading & writing digests, tailored for you).
Done.
WordPress Changes 2016 and 2017 – Accessing the Old System
Preamble
⇓ Accessing the Old System
Much of the old system still exists. For example the older and better “Classic Editor”, Dashboard, older Stats page, Post/Page Lists etc (see below). It is only the links from the new system that have been withheld. I presume, to give the appearance that the new system is preferred.
Any attempt to remove all access to the older, and generally preferred system, will surely be seen as a destructive act of belligerence against customers by WP.
The new system, which uses Rest-API (Application Programming Interface ⇐), makes “apps” programming easier, provides remote access and records a lot of information about our activities as bloggers. The information collected is potentially profitable as a saleable item. Perhaps that is why WP are so keen to force it on us. Allowing the old system to co-exist would probably mean replicating it using API. More about API and WordPress ⇐.
I don’t suppose that anyone would have minded the new API system if they hadn’t made such a hash of it.
Accessing the Old System
Please pass it on to any who might find it useful.
Two methods:-
1. Login to the Dashboard by using:-
https://yourblogname.wordpress.com/wp-admin/
Just copy the above to a notepad, replace yourblogname with your own blog name and then copy the result to your address bar (overwriting or deleting its current content) and then click on Go or Enter.
Example using my blog name. 
or :-
2. Thanks to a comment by notewords.wordpress.com, one can click on “WP Admin” at the bottom left of the new Stats Page and start from there.
Either way, your dashboard should then open and it is possible to use the left side menu to access all the old system, including a very old version of stats.
Do bookmark/favourite your Dashboard for ease of future use. .
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The left side menu can be expanded to text, or slid back to icons, by using the lowest arrow button of the menu.
The menu includes the original Post Editor (Add New), Posts List (All Posts) etc.
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There is also access to a very old Site Stats.
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By using the right hand mouse button, any link can be opened in a new tab. More ↓.
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I found it helpful to open a number of menu items in new Tabs and then bookmark/favourite for ease of future use. One can even create a Browser Folder of useful bookmarks, for each of one’s blogs, and use them as a custom menus.
One can log in to any part of old system by using the relevant Bookmark.
Always open the Reader in a new tab, to avoid getting trapped in the new system.
Using Bookmarks is very helpful if you find yourself trapped in the new system. It will also be helpful if WP start removing more links.
If you would like to make your views known about recent changes (and the more comments the better), the forum link is:.
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/stats-feedback/page/2?replies=52
All logged in WP bloggers have the right to use it.
About changes to the WP Reader ⇐.
WordPress Changes – Behind the Scenes
1. Behind the Scenes
The recent changes are not just about the appearance on mobile phones. There is further enterprise involved and perhaps the real reason for being so stubborn and rash in it’s implementation.
The following applies to any WP hosted blog and any using Jetpack.
A system known as Rest-Api is being installed. The system plants a Rest-Api cookie bundle on your computer. The new user-interface does not work without it.
The Rest-Api system provides:-
- Easier Application Programming
- Publicly available access to your posts/comments/likes. There is nothing new there, except that some further information is provided (e.g. the ID’s of visitors).
- If you give permission, remote access to your blog/image-library for the purposes of allowing a service (e.g. a printing company) to download content.
- If you give permission, remote access by a developer. Access may include your statistics, the ability to create/edit/delete posts and whatever else you provide permission for.
2. Public/Limited Access to Our Blogs
You might try clicking on some of these (I’ve kept it to the 4 most recent). Each of these will open in a new Tab. You can change the Blog name and you don’t have to be logged in to your account in order to use them. However, Private and Password Protected are not shown unless you are logged in and add “&status=any”. Note: Pretty=1 makes it readable.
Revealing my 4 most recent posts, or for whichever blog is named.
https://public-api.wordpress.com/rest/v1/sites/freedfromtime.wordpress.com/posts/?number=4&pretty=1
Revealing my 4 most recent comments received, or for whichever blog is named, with information about the commenter.
Revealing my 4 most recent Likes recieved, or for whichever blog is named, on a post with information about the Liker. The Post ID for this is “1” (my About page but may not be the same for you). Otherwise you will need a Post ID which can be obtained from the first link.
Further content is available, when logged in and/or for a developer who has a Blogger’s permission. (see Section 3).
2.1 What’s the problem.
This does provide further information such as numeric ID’s for Blog, Post, Author and Comment relating to yourself and your visitors and, it seems, slows normal access. Added to this, the design and function are generally considered as inferior to the previous User Interface.
2.2 A Greater Concern
One might consider this point a breach of security. Usually half the battle for a hacker is knowing one’s Log-in name/User name. With WordPress one’s Display name is often the same as one’s Log-in name/User name. However some have wisely hidden there User name behind a different Display name. The above Links publicly reveal any hidden Log-in/User name.
3. Full Access to Our Blogs
With a bloggers permission, a remote service provider (e.g. printing company) or developer may have a limited or complete access to your site using the Rest-Api system. That access relies upon a new cookie bundle “public-api.wordpress.com” on your browser. None of the new UI (Stats, Editor and Notifications) will work without it. However, unless you are adept at cookie management, I don’t recommend trying this. One can lose the ability to comment/like on other blogs if one cannot fully restore cookies.
The full range of Gets (view) and Puts (create/change), available with a Bloggers permission, can be found by clicking here ⇒. Full access can include Private and Password Protected.
Some Gets (as with the links above) are available to anyone.
A developer console here ⇒ provides extended access when logged in to one’s account or for a person who has the blogger’s permission. When using the developer console; to see the full return, click on the bottom left arrow of the brief return.
3.1 The Possible Problems
3.1.1 Security
Access is acquired using OAuth2 authentication. That method has been entirely disavowed by the lead author, who has removed his name from all specifications. His main concerns seem to be that, whilst OAuth1 was a protocol, OAuth2 is a framework that includes many musts and must-nots and requires an unusually high level of expertise to make secure. To read his post click here ⇒. An extract below:-
“To be clear, OAuth 2.0 at the hand of a developer with deep understanding of web security will likely result is a secure implementation. However, at the hands of most developers – as has been the experience from the past two years – 2.0 is likely to produce insecure implementations.”
He also wrote “When compared with OAuth 1.0, the 2.0 specification is more complex, less interoperable, less useful, more incomplete, and most importantly, less secure”.
3.1.2 Business Worth
Being able to store images from a mobile phone/tablet, upload them to WordPress and then download them to a service provider might be of use to some. However, serious photographers and/or those creating company literature (e.g. pamphlets, brochures etc) are more likely to upload higher resolution images directly to a printing company.
Most of us, if approached by a developer who wants access to our site, would likely respond with disinterest.
E-commerce companies might want to make use of a developers services to compete. But, if they’ve got any sense they will use in-house services provided by people who have a deeper knowledge of their company’s business and dedicated to it.
3.1.3 Business Loss
I believe that the new User Interface has been so badly implemented as to deter users in the new enterprise.
Existing customers have suffered considerable and pointless nuisance.
It has been shown that it takes less effort to keep existing customers than acquire new ones.
WP Changes – Accessing the old system ⇐
A Merry Christmas to All – and extra title lines to increase the size of image on the Reader :-)
I would like to wish you all a very Happy Holidays and good fortune for the new year.
As is traditional at this time of year, I expect I will be abducted by aliens, away for a while and have no memory of what occurred.
P.S. For a little more colour, you might try A Very Many Xmas’s to All⇐ or the Brighten the Day Gallery ⇐.
P.P.S. As a last thought; please enjoy your festive fair responsibly and avoid leaving any empty bottles lying about. 😀
A Lament for The Ancient Code Wrangler at Xmas
Twas the night before Christmas,
And through all WordPress house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Because they’d eaten the mouse,
The code wranglers were nestled,
All snug in their beds,
Whilst visions of fudge brownies,
Danced in their heads,
Then down from the chimney,
All covered in soot,
Came an ancient code wrangler
Who’d chewed of his foot
Up, he proclaimed,
There’s work to do still
There’s a Reader to wrap,
And send them a bill,
The customers heard this,
And thought it unfair,
So they caught the old wrangler,
And pulled out his hair,
He’s a national treasure,
They cried loudly and puffed,
He belongs behind glass,
But first have him stuffed.
😀
I hope you enjoyed that, although it’s not up to the standard of this chap. How did he know about code wranglers so long ago.
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An Ode to WordPress Reader⇐ and more on the subject of the New Reader ⇐.
WP Reader Changes – Wouldn’t This Be Better
It seems WP want the Reader to fit on a cellphone, but wouldn’t the format below be better for all ? It makes maximum use of the available space by hiding the menu (or by spreading it along the top bar), minimizing the white space and fitting all pictures into a 4:3 frame without cropping. Modified 21 Dec 2016. More↓.
There are icons for a full gallery view (pics), plain reader (read) and visit the blog (visit). The gallery icon shows the number of images on the post and changes colour if there are more images than shown by the reader. A click-on the left side larger image will expand it.
This alternative uses a little more height than the new Reader, but far less than the previous Reader, is more accommodating and even looks better on a cellphone than the current new Reader.
The present load speed problem is partly due to the extra data transfer junk (e.g. Google Analytics, Google Ads, Olark, WordPress Public API and many more) and partly due to the larger number of posts (in thin slices) being loaded at one time. Although the number of posts being loaded at one time might be less for those using a mobile application.
The fonts and juxtapositions aren’t brilliant, but it conveys the idea. Next week, I’m teaching it to do singing and dancing.
The point of this exercise being; to show what can be done and encourage WP to consult in future. And, of course, stop WP from pushing their recommendations into our reading lists.
More on the Reader here ⇐.
WordPress Changes – Accessing the Old System ⇐
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WP Reader Changes – WP Test Sending Recommendations by Email – Update
Update: It seems that we will be able to manage our subscription. Please see the WP Reader Changes – WP Test Sending Recommendations by Email ⇐ (Dec 20, 1016) for details.
WP Reader Changes – 2016/2017
↓ Periodically updated list of news/articles/contacts about the WP Reader Changes
and a link to – User Interface Changes ⇐ and Accessing the old System (Stats, Editor etc)
Following the introduction of a new WP Reader format in December of 2016, objections were raised about the layout and the intention to “push” WP’s recommendations into our readers. More recently there have been complaints about censorship and then an intention to “push” recommendations by email.
The WP Forum ⇒ on this topic with members comments (available to all WP bloggers).
The WP Blog announcement ⇒ is still readable but now closed for further comments.
Articles
Articles in reverse chronology:-
Preventing WP Reading Recommendation Being Sent by Email ⇐ Opting out of the automatic email subscription.
A Lament for the Ancient Code Wrangler at Xmas ⇐ 😀 An Ode of humour. Oh alright, taking the mickey. (Dec 24, 2016).
WP Reader Changes – Wouldn’t This be Better ? ⇐ An alternative design that addresses the problems (Dec 21, 2016).
WP Reader Changes – WP Test Sending Recommendations by Email ⇐ Update: It seems that we will be able to manage our subscription. Please see the post for details (Dec 20, 2016).
A Xmas Ode to the WP Reader ⇐ 😀 A little fun at their expense. Well we can’t let them get us down and become dispirited (Dec 19, 2016).
** WP Reader Changes – Worse to Come ⇐ General Information about WP’s intent to put their recommendations into our Readers, problems with the new format and the means to complain (Dec 18, 2016).
WP Reader Changes ⇒ by Cindy Knoke which contains a large number of adverse comments (Dec 15, 2016).
WP Reader Changes – WP Test Sending Recommendations by Email
Update: From Jeff Bowen of Horizon Feedback responding to a suggestion of Opting-in/out for recommendation by email.
“Thanks for the suggestion, Graham. It’s not shown in the screenshot, but you will definitely be able to manage your subscription status for these, regardless”.
So it seems, one less thing to be concerned about.
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Original Post was
On December 19 2016 at 2:43pm I asked Horizon Feedback if they had been asked to test the new WP Reader (using their “Call for Testing: Image Editor” post). The answer of “No” was published as a comment on the same post at 10:19pm on the same day.
Subsequently, Dandelionslad ⇒ kindly gave me a heads up that a new post of “Call for Testing: Recommended Reading Emails” had been published. Please click here ⇓ to view.
https://horizonfeedback.wordpress.com/2016/12/19/call-for-testing-recommended-reading-emails/
!! There is a comments section !!
It seems that WP intend to send us unsolicited recommendations by email (straight into my junk folder) in addition to placing them in our Readers.
A Christmas Ode to the Word Press Reader
Twas the week before Christmas,
And through all WordPress house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse,
Then up jumped a code wrangler,
And shouted with glee,
Let’s cause a nuisance,
And I’ll do it for free,
It’s just before Xmas,
They will all be so busy,
We can mess with the Reader,
And make them all dizzy,
So they worked hard through the day,
And they worked hard through the night,
It was so very unusual,
That it gave them a fright,
Then the bloggers complained,
And made the wranglers feel sad,
So the the bloggers said more,
And drove the wranglers quite mad,
Then up spoke a blogger,
With “that’s well deserved”,
Let’s put them in aspic,
And have them preserved.
😀
You might also like the original poem Twas the Night Before Xmas ⇐ , or A Lament for the Ancient Code Wrangler ⇐ 🙂 or more serious comment/news on WP New Reader ⇐
We do need a sense of humour to cope and keep our spirits up. Meanwhile Sam’s Song is brilliant and Sam the Eagle is my hero:-
Appalled and shocked, but we have been here before. Making an effort does make a difference. Imagine how bad it would be if we didn’t.
More News and Articles ⇐ on this subject.
WP Reader Changes – Worse to Come
The Lesser Known Problem: According to the Announcement ⇒, WordPress will be putting their recommendations into our reader lists. From the WordPress Blog announcement:-
“There are millions of amazing posts flowing through WordPress.com every day that you never see, and we want to bring a few of them to your attention, so we’re adding a bit of serendipity. We call it Recommended Posts.”
“This new section will show up in Reader intermittently — more for new members, less for existing members who already follow a lot of sites. You can also see Recommended Posts on the Search page.”
If this is allowed to proceed, how long before we start getting emails of the recommendations which appear in our reader.
From the WordPress Forum on this topic.
“Recommendations will hopefully work to help to connect more people with more blogs they like. More are shown to people who are new to using the Reader and less are shown to people who already follow a lot of sites. if you don’t like a recommendation, click the X icon to dismiss it and we’ll keep that in mind.”
That is, we are coerced into following more blogs in order to reduce this intrusion.
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Update: It now looks as if WP will try to push their recommendations into our emails. Here ⇐. The Fix ⇐
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Further:-
There are many bloggers who do not like the new format which misrepresents/distorts/crops pictures, minimizes samples and lacks respect for their work.
For those without super-fast broadband, the reader has become much slower.
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Why Push Content: One can only conjecture. There seems to be a need to stimulate activity. (i.e the number of recorded views). This may be an attempt to retain the WordPress image in the face of those blogs which have been abandoned or are rarely used. I think this approach is likely to make the situation worse.
Another possible reason, for the new format, is so that it fits cell-phones and creates more space for the “recomendations”.
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Censorship: There are a number of complaints that adverse comments have been excluded from the WordPress Blog on this subject and at least one from the WordPress Forum on this topic. That will be another post later, with screen-shots of the items reinstated on the forum after complaints.
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Solution: For everybody to enter a comment on the WordPress Blog ⇒ and the WordPress Forum ⇒ (which every WordPress blogger has a right to use) and thus spill outside of those forums to the ears of those who bear influence. There is a further mass of dissent at Cindy Knokes post ⇒.
The WordPress Blog seems only to accept very short comments. Please report anything short that is rejected.
Complaints are numerous, these are mine. Pick as you will or add you own. One does not need to justify or argue, only state.
As a paying customer, I (also) object to:-
The intrusion of unsolicited posts into my reader.
The intrusion of my unsolicited posts into the readers of others, causing them annoyance.
Any prospect of unsolicited emails from the reader.
The misrepresentation/distortion/cropping of my photographs and lack of respect for my work.
The reduction in sample size.
The slower reader speed.
The high-handed manner of this action without any prior consultation.
The poor competence in its implementation.
Any form of censorship, being contrary to the stated views of WordPress, the precepts of the free-world and the free-press. Particularly of dissenting views and the marginalisation of dissenters.
The more we accept without protest, the more we will be used without respect.
“Merely exist on our knees, or take the chances of being fully alive on our feet.”
Making an effort does make a difference. Imagine how bad it would be if we didn’t.
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More News and Articles on this Subject ⇐
And, on a lighter note, A Christmas Ode to the WordPress Reader ⇐ 😀
Brighten the Day 8
Out came the sun.
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Meanwhile, at Martha’s Vineyard, a lady sang and some youngsters told the tale.
So they did.
More Brighten the Day ⇐.
The London Waterbus and Regents Canal
The London Waterbus operates between Camden Lock Market ⇐ and Little Venice on the Regents Canal. The waterbus has a seasonal timetable ⇒ and the journey time is approximately 50 minutes. The Little Venice destination is a charming pool with a barge cafe and an enchanting barge puppet theatre ⇓.
The canal is part of a huge network that was once the lifeblood of trading Britain, moving goods and raw materials between ports and the hinterland by horse-drawn barge. Many of the old canals have been restored and now provide for house boats and holiday barges. History ⇒ and scenic Barge Holidays ⇒ (one source) and the Norfolk Broads Holiday River Boats ⇒ (no canal locks).
Many canals have tunnels and this section of the Regents Canal has two. The longest UK tunnel of 3.24 miles is in the north of England at Standedge ⇒ (pronounced Stannige). The long tunnels did not have towpaths and men had to lie on the cargo and push the barge along by walking along the roof or walls of the tunnel (called legging). Professional leggers were available at one shilling per hour and the Standedge tunnel would take a back-breaking three hours to traverse with a fully laden barge.
Here are just a few snaps from the London Waterbus journey.
Starting from a small cut just past the lock at Camden Market the waterbus passes St Martin’s Church and then some pleasant foilage.
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Then there are several embassies.
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The route passes through Regents Park (London) Zoo, although all that can be seen from the canal is the giant aviary.
Cunningham Place.
One of the few remaining Catholic Apostolic Churches (Maida Vale). A curious religious movement which was founded by three self appointed apostles in England in 1831 and spread to Germany and USA. The church ceased ordination in 1901 and so became virtually extinct by the 1970’s.
Arriving at Little Venice there is the barge cafe.
And, a fine view back across the pool.
On the other side of the Little Venice pool is the Puppet Theatre Barge ⇒, which magically appears from Richmond between October and the following July. Whilst it may not look like much from the outside, the inside is warm and cosy and the performances are skillful and enchanting and usually suitable for a broad age range.
Camden Market, Camden Lock Market, Horse Tunnel Market and Stables Market
Upper Camden High Street
Imagine an Alladin’s cave within a cornucopia fed by a horn of plenty. In the Camden Markets one can find eatables, wearables, carryables, sparklies, wall and ceiling hangables, film cameras and magical hidden caves of delight.
If you intend any serious shopping then print a large Google map of the market area north of Camden Lock and another south of the lock. That way you can retrace your steps to the best bargains. There are some overpriced items and Camden is very busy at the weekends so buyer beware. On the other hand there are some unique craft items.
To get there use London Underground Rail to Camden Town on the Northern Line. There are two exits. Use the one onto Camden High St and walk up the road with the main intersection at your back.
Camden Market is the smallest of the markets but is a bit bigger then it looks.
Camden Lock Market is a lot bigger than it looks.
The building on the right is the famous Dingwalls ⇒ music venue and the Comedy Loft ⇒. A little further on from the lock is the stop for the London Waterbus ⇐ to Little Venice.
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The market halls are quite fascinating and lead down to the canal side with a number of eateries.
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On the side away from canal is Camden Lock Place and another market area. Turn right at the sight of Shaka Zulu and you will come back to the High Street.
This picture is with the High Street at my back and you will find Gilgamesh on your Google map. Don’t go back onto the High Street but venture down the little alley on the right of the picture.
The first thing that strikes one is a magic carpet of spiced aromas from all over the world. I got the impression that if I stayed too long I would be forever mesmerized and never leave.
But, if you continue then there is an Alladin’s cave with many side alleys to watch out for.
Camden Lock and the Regents Canal are part of a huge canal network stretching across Britain and the lock once provided stables and a hospital for the barge horses.
Hidden away, it is one of largest markets in Camden with a plethora of arts, crafts and fashion. I can only show a small part of it.
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If you can find your way out, passing this sign, then there is yet another market area curving away into the distance but eventually returning to the canal.
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One of Camden’s Little Wizards
Returning to the canal one might take a coffee and watch some of the little wizards taking a bath. Then there is eating and drinking and making merry or the Dingwalls ⇒ music venue or the Comedy Loft ⇒ or a short walk up the road to The Roundhouse Theatre ⇒ at Chalk farm (where you booked a ticket) or, earlier in the day, the London Waterbus ⇐ to Little Venice and the Puppet Theatre Barge⇒ (October to July) .
One might happily contemplate any of these delights or the soft ghostly figures of a horse drawn canal barge with the mellow spirits of a bargee family taking tea in the quiet of the evening, or wake up in front of one’s computer screen having been spellbound by the little wizard. Well, one might. 🙂
About Canterbury
18 pics. Canterbury is famous for its antiquity, Canterbury Cathedral, numerous ancient buildings, the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, a destination for pilgrims, the oldest UK Church still in use (St Martins), Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Rupert the Bear by Mary Tourtel and Smallfilms (Clangers and Bagpus and many others) by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin.
Canterbury is well worth a visit particularly as there is so much to see within walking distance. My own favourites were the Heritage Museum, The Beaney House (free) and Canterbury Cathedral.
⇐ Pilgrims Way is a walking route stretching all the all the way from Winchester, which is over a hundred miles away. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales refers to the fictional stories told by a group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury.
A shorter route is from Canterbury West Station which leads onto St Dunstans Street (turn right out of the station) and thence to St Peter’s Street (turn left – and about 5 minutes walk altogether).
Canterbury’s Shepherd Neame Pub
On St Dunstans Street one passes one of these, which speaks for itself. The traveller might note that “Bishops Finger” refers to an ale not an ancient form of acupuncture. 😀
A little further on, is the old town’s Westgate which houses a small museum⇒ and access to the view from the battlements.
Canterbury’s Westgate
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This is the northern of three branches of the River Stour running through Canterbury. This branch runs under the Westgate. There are chauffeur driven Canterbury Westgate Punts ⇒ during the summer .
We are now on the other side of the Westgate with the Guildhall on the left. Turning around and walking down St Peter’s Street the road becomes traffic free and on the left is St Peter’s Lane and the church.
Canterbury’s St Peter’s Anglican Church
St Peter’s Anglican Church ⇒ has been in use for over 900 years and is open every day.
Canterbury’s Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas
Inside the Hospital of St Thomas
Further along, the road then becomes the High Street and on the right is the Hospital of St Thomas (Eastbridge). More pictures and information ⇒.
Opposite St Thomas’s is the Wildwood and access to Canterbury Historic River Tours ⇒ (not available in winter) beside the mid branch of the River Stour.
A little further along, on one’s right, is Stour Street and after about 4 minutes walk is the marvelous Heritage Museum ⇐. It is not open all year round so do check the website.
Canterbury’s Heritage Museum
Inside Canterbury Heritage Museum
Beside the museum is Water Lane which leads to a small footbridge that crosses a branch of the River Stour and on to Greyfriars Gardens. The gardens are beautifully serene and include free access to Greyfriars Chapel ⇒ . Opening times for the chapel are limited so please check the link.
Canterbury Punting Co ⇒ operate along this stretch of the Stour during the summer.
Returning to the High Street, a short walk south is the Beaney Institute.
Canterbury’s Beaney Instiute
Beaney Institute
The Beaney Institute is free to enter and provides a number of exhibits/events. More with pictures of the exhibits ⇐ .
A quick look back along the High St to the Westgate. Turn around again, continue along the High St and on one’s left is Mercery Lane which leads to the cathedral. On the opposite side of the High St is St Margarets Street and The Canterbury Tales Museum ⇐ where you can immerse yourselves in the sights, sounds and smells of medieval Britain. A little further along St Margaret’s Street one might catch an evenings Ghost Tour ⇒ (usually on a Friday or Saturday).
Alternatively, walk a little further along the High St and there is Butchery Lane with the Roman Museum on the right hand side.
The view along Butchery Street.
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Inside the Roman Museum
Roman Museum ⇒ I wasn’t all that impressed for the cost but you can get a cheaper combined ticket with the more extensive Heritage Museum (although not open all year).
Turn left at the end of Butchery Lane and one comes to the War Memorial and the entrance to Canterbury Cathedral (on the right) on Burgate.
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Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral ⇐ with pictures of the extraordinary interior.
Canterbury has some interesting shops and plenty of inns and other eateries.
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This is Bell and Crown which has plenty of seating outside and is on Sun Street (extending from Burgate). As you can see it is a friendly place (really) and I was pleased to find that it serves from a wholesome and enjoyable menu.
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Canterbury’s St Augustines Abbey
Turning back along Burgate and continuing to the end, one then crosses a main road (Lower Bridge St) onto Church St which leads to Monastery St. To one’s left is Findons Gate and Lady Wootons Green (with statues). To one’s right is Longport and the entrance to St Augustines Abbey ⇐ museum and ruin (please see the link for the gate and green).
St Augustines Abbey ruin
Longport continues on to the west and to North Holmes Road which leads to St Martins Church ⇒ . St Martins is the oldest working church in the UK and one can visit on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (please check the link above). The second oldest (by a small margin) is All Hallows by the Tower ⇐ (London).
There is plenty more to see in Canterbury including Canterbury Castle ⇒ ruin. I hope you enjoyed your brief tour and thank you for visiting.
St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury
St Augustine’s Abbey was founded shortly after Canterbury Cathedral (Ad 597)⇐ and is now a small museum and the ruins left after the Dissolution of the Abbeys during the reign of Henry VIII. The entrance is on Longport (Road) just east of Canterbury old town. Entry is limited during the winter months and there is a charge. Whether it is worth the cost does depend on ones interest. Please see the Website ⇒.
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These buildings appear to be part of Kings School and are not accessible. The two towers in the distance are Fyndons Gate which can be viewed from the outside on Monastery Street just opposite Lady Wootons Green. The green has statues of of the 6th century monarchs, King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha. I missed these so:-
Fyndons Gate by Google Images⇒ (except the one with the greenish statue that is really the entrance to Canterbury Cathedral).
Lady Wootons Green and Statues by Google Images ⇒.
The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury
The Royal Museum and Free Library was founded in 1858 and moved to the Beaney Institute in 1891 following a bequest by George Beaney to build an ‘Institute for Working Men’. The building is on the High Street and is bigger than it looks, housing an information centre, modern library, cafe and several exhibition rooms. Entry is free and it is child friendly with tables for games and drawing. The Beaney is an award winning facility with exhibitions, educational facilities and events. Website ⇒.
Just a few of the exhibits :- .
Sculptures of the Magna Carta Barons ⇒.
Child friendly.
Granny Knowles by Laura Knight
Kent was a summertime haunt for travelers and people from the East End of London to engage in hop picking.
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And, part of a temporary exhibition by Grayson Perry called “The Vanity of Small Differences”.
The Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas in Canterbury
The Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas is on Canterbury High street and is part of a bridge over a branch of the river Stour. It isn’t very big but they only ask £2 for a visit. Visiting ⇒.
The site was created in 1180 as a place of hospitality for poor pilgrims visiting Canterbury Cathedral ⇐ where Thomas (later St Thomas) Becket was murdered in 1170 and became a martyr. Next to the chapel is an Alms House with 8 occupied flats.
Canterbury Heritage Museum
The Heritage Museum building dates from 1373 and is on Stour Street just off Canterbury High Street. It is quite large, well worth a visit and, for me, second only to Canterbury Cathedral ⇐. The museum is child friendly but there is a charge for adults and it is not open all year round, so please see the website ⇒
For a closer view of an image please left-click once and then again.
First a little history.
The following two artists impression are really from the Roman Museum (a few minutes walk away on Butchery St), but help to complete the picture.
Roman Canterbury AD 150
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Roman Canterbury AD 300
And, back to the Heritage Museum.
Anglo-Saxon Canterbury AD 700
It seems the new locals put aside bijou for hairy Saxon style, although it looks like the early cathedral can be seen in the distance.
Just a few of the items on display:-
6th Century Anglo-Saxon Bronze Brooch
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The Normans came along in the the 11th Century and had a preference for stone.
Medieval Mazer
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And armour.
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Elizabethan Soldier – A “Buffs” Pikeman 1572
The Buffs are a long-standing regiment originating in Kent and garrisoned at Canterbury. Once known as the 3rd Light Foot but now known as the Royal East Kent Regiment. Referred to as the Buffs because of the buff colouring of their sleeves.
In 1858 whilst stationed at Malta, Lieutenant John Cotter, Adjutant of the 2nd Buffs, would shout “Steady, The Buffs!”, a shout which was popularised by Rudyard Kipling and entered common use.
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Invicta Steam Locomotive
Invicta was built at the Stephensons Works, delivered and driven by Edward Fletcher and opened the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway in 1830.
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Mary Tourtel who Created Rupert the Bear in 1920.
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Bagpus and Friends
Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin created Bagpus, Ivor the Engine, Noggin the Nog, the Clangers, Tottie: The Story of a Dolls House and The Pogles family in a converted cowshed in Blean near Canterbury using the company name Smallfilms ⇒.
There are more of these exhibits at this museum and at the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood ⇐ (East London).
Tottie: The Story of a Dolls House
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Oliver Postgate’s Canterbury Chronicle
And more from amazing Canterbury later.
Freed From Time 